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Those of you who know me will know that I’m a big fan of Spain. To me, nowhere feels more authentically Spanish than the region of Andalucía. Thought to be the birthplace of flamenco, it is a sunny and gorgeous region of Spain packed full of culture and history. What’s more it’s very accessible with several airports and an efficient and affordable train network. This means that hopping around the region is a piece of cake, or pastel if you’re practising the local lingo.
This Andalucía itinerary is perfect if:
- You want to explore this beautiful region in a way that’s time efficient
- You love great food
- You are interested in history and culture
I took this trip in 2023 and so I can fully recommend every aspect of it. The itinerary can range from 7 nights if you want to squeeze everything in, and up to 14 nights if you want to take it at a more leisurely pace.
First stop: Seville
Fly into the beautiful city of Seville, which is one of my favourite places in the world. Seville is a small city and has several ‘big hitters’ in terms of sights.
The most well-known is the Plaza de España. Built in 1929, this epic structure aimed to showcase Spain and the diverse regions within the country. It certainly hits the mark and is one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve ever visited. As you might expect it gets very busy so I’d recommend you stay in the city centre so you can visit early in the morning.
Seville also has a beautiful Alcázar. This is a royal palace, originally built in the 10th century by Moorish Muslim kings. Known for its exquisite Mudejar architecture, lush gardens, and intricate tilework, it showcases Spain’s rich cultural history. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Seville’s heritage.
The epic Cathedral in the city is where Christopher Columbus rests. It is an extremely ornate and intricate building, and you could really just spend a lot of time admiring it from the outside, before even buying an entry ticket. The Cathedral has a Giralda, which you can climb for epic views across the city.
Expectedly Seville is very strong for tapas options. Many of the traditional options can be found around Calle Mateos Gago. However you will also find many restaurants in Seville that offer traditional tapas dishes with a more modern and upmarket twist. It’s worth trying the different options!
Ideally you will stay for 3 nights in Seville, but if you are short on time 2 nights is sufficient. Spanish cities are best enjoyed when you have time to explore in a relaxed way and to people watch, but to shorten your time you can do less of this.
Where to stay in Seville
I have visited Seville many times and have stayed in several hotels. These are my favourite:
Hotel Alcántara which is conveniently located next to La Casa del Flamenco. This is a fairly basic hotel but the location does not get better. I found the room to be clean, comfortable and quiet. When I stayed here I was travelling solo and felt safe as a woman on my own. Staff were very friendly and accommodated my attempts at Spanish!
For a little more luxury check out Hotel Rey Alfonso X in which is located literally meters away from Hotel Alcantara. Both are right the heart of the city in the Santa Cruz district, perfect for exploring. The rooms here are big and luxurious. The other huge advantage is that the hotel has a rooftop bar and small pool, which is great in the summer months. The only downside is that the breakfast is a little pricey so if a coffee and pastry is sufficient for you, it will be cheaper and perhaps preferable to eat in one of the many cafes locally.
On my last visit I stayed at Alcazar de Maria which also has an amazing location near the Cathedral. This is a little boutique hotel with breakfast included – very traditionally Spanish in their lovely (enclosed) courtyard area.
For more information you can find my full guide to Seville here
Second stop: Cordoba
From Seville Santa Justa station, you can catch a direct train to the city of Cordoba around 45 minutes away. We observed an interesting cultural difference when we took this trip; arriving early for trains and buses was not particularly welcomed while in Spain. Just a heads up in case you experience this too!
Cordoba is further inland and is considerably less touristy than Seville. This means that it can be hot, and you will probably require a little Spanish while you are here.
Cordoba is famous for it’s wonderful Mezquita, a stunning architectural masterpiece in southern Spain. Originally built as a mosque in the 8th century under the Umayyad caliphate, it was later converted into a Catholic cathedral in the 13th century. The building features a unique blend of Islamic and Christian architecture, with its iconic red-and-white striped arches, expansive prayer hall, and intricate mosaics. The Mezquita is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an exceptional symbol of cultural and religious coexistence, reflecting Córdoba’s rich history as a centre of learning and cultural exchange.
I visited Cordoba during it’s world famous Patio festival, which happens for two weeks in May each year. The annual event celebrates the courtyard gardens in the region by hosting a competition for the best. Patios can be visited for free throughout the festival between 11am and 1pm, and 6pm and 10pm. For more information see my full guide, hosted by Templeseeker Córdoba Patio Festival.
Where to stay in Cordoba
Two nights is sufficient in Cordoba, but if time allows, 3 nights will allow you to explore at a more relaxed pace and to take it all in.
I stayed at La Casa del Rio during my stay in Cordoba. This was in a great location, slightly away from the main centre, over the epic Roman bridge. The room was clean and comfortable and there was a small kitchenette which was great for making hot drinks.
Third stop: Granada
Next you will get back on the train to the city of Granada, around 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Granada is a large city and is much more touristy than both Seville and Cordoba. This is unsurprising given the Alhambra palace is one of the most famous sights in the World. You will notice an increase in prices as compared to Cordoba.
The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a palace-fortress with spectacular views over the Sierra Nevada mountains. The size and grandeur of the Alhambra really has to be seen to be believed. You could spend several days fully exploring the complex.
Both the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Alhambra are the best examples of Moorish architecture. Moorish culture in Spain flourished during the Islamic rule from the 8th to the 15th century, particularly in Andalucia. The Moors, primarily of North African and Arab descent, brought many advancements. Their architectural style blends intricate geometric patterns, lush gardens, and calligraphy. The level of detail is awe-inspiring and you can spend a lot of time just admiring and taking it all in.
Of course it is essential to visit the Alhambra when you are in Andalucia. Ensure you book here as tickets often sell out months in advance. Also remember to take your passport with you on the day as this required for entry. You can explore most of the complex freely but entry times to the Nasrid palace are strictly followed, so make sure you arrive on time.
Outside of the Alhambra you will be able to visit the souks of Granada, where you will see more of the Moorish influence. I loved it here so much that it actually inspired a later trip to Marrakesh that same year.
Where to stay in Granada
When I did this itinerary in 2023, I decided to splurge a little on the hotel whilst in Granada. I’m so glad I did. If you’d like to wake up with a gorgeous view of the Alhambra, then I can’t recommend Casa Bombo highly enough. This place is cool, and beautifully furnished with a modern touch. Yes, it is a little pricey, but it genuinely is one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed in. And I’ll never forget that view and the beautiful breakfast overlooking it!
In my opinion, 2 nights in Granada felt enough. Obviously it is a big city with much more to do, but on an itinerary with multiple stops, this time was sufficient to get a flavour of the city.
Fourth stop: Nerja
For the next stop you will take a bus to the beautiful coastal town of Nerja. For the rest of the trip, we used Alsa buses which were efficient and cheap.
Visiting Nerja will give you the opportunity to visit the beach, which is a must!
Nerja is great place to relax and unwind, with pretty whitewashed streets and a relaxed vibe. It is famous for the Balcón de Europa, a dramatic viewpoint across the Mediterranean.
The Cueva de Nerja is also fun to visit. If like me, you did GCSE Geography you will find it interesting to see natural rock formations and those all-important stalagmites and stalactites. The caves were discovered by five young local men in the 1950s. I can’t imagine how shocking it must have been to stumble upon this place! It was much bigger than I had anticipated and really sparked my curiosity.
By this point in your trip you may be in need of a stretch. If so you can go to loveliest yoga class hosted by Rut Montiel Wellness in the gardens of Hotel Parador. This is a lovely and relaxing class in a stunning location, with a view over the mountains and beach. If you’re in Nerja and you get the opportunity then you should definitely try it! Classes run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10.15 during the summer months. They have mats available so no need to take your own.
Nerja has several beautiful beaches. My favourite was Playa Burriana which is a large beach with clear water. There are good facilities here and many restaurants.
Where to stay in Nerja
I would recommend Hotel Boutique Sibarys which is an adult only hotel in a great location. The rooms were comfortable here, and there is a small pool area which is nice after all of the exploring you have been doing. Breakfast was also delicious with handmade barista coffee which is always a thumbs up for me.
I’d recommend 2 nights in Nerja or 3 if you want a more relaxed stay.
Final day exploring: Malaga
The city of Malaga has a lot to explore. It also has a large airport with frequent flights to the UK and so is a good place to fly home from.
When we did this itinerary in 2023, we actually put our suitcases in a luggage locker to be able to explore the city before our late flight home. This enabled us to use the day exploring and meant that we were not waiting around for the flight.
A definite must see during your time in Malaga is the Alcazaba. This is a historic fortified palace set on Gibralfaro mountain, with views over the city. This is another great example of Moorish architecture. I really enjoyed exploring here and it was a lot quieter than the Alhambra, which meant there were some good opportunities for photos. You can buy tickets at the entrance for a few euros.
Another popular sight is the Picasso Museum. I personally did not have time to visit as I spent the afternoon enjoying final tapas (story of my life!). However it’s a good option if you are interested in art or if you have had enough tapas by this point!
If you wanted to extend your stay in Malaga, check out this great guide by a fellow blogger Two Days in Málaga.
